Things to do in London this weekend
Grab the weekend by the horns and get stuck into the best things to do on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in London.
January blues got you down? Pfft. No such thing, especially with this brilliant lot of weekend events and activities, from body-positive talks at the Anti Diet Riot Festival to video gaming IRL at The Actual Reality Arcade and a chance to make a magazine at Zinester’s Coffee Morning. Turn that frown upside down and embrace the weekend with open arms like you mean it.
RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do in London this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What’s on this weekend?
Event of the Week: Anti Diet Riot Festival
What is it?
A new body-positive festival for London.
Why go?
To swap new year’s resolutions for a 2020 revolution.
The one thing you should know?
There’s strictly no diet chat.
London Model Engineering Exhibition
What is it?
A show dedicated to tiny models of trains, planes and automobiles.
Why go?
To see more than 50 international clubs and societies compete to win this year’s Society Shield.
The one thing you should know?
There'll be some James Bond models and memorabilia on show too.
Winter Lights at Canary Wharf
What is it?
A free festival of light-art installations in the financial district.
Why go?
To walk through a web of glowing neurons, of course.
The one thing you should know?
It’s completely free to attend.
Apple Yowling
What is it?
A ye olde Twelfth Night tradition.
Why go?
To put on your best wassailing voice to serenade (or ‘bless’) the apple trees in Waltham Forest’s oldest orchard.
The one thing you should know?
There’ll be spiced cider on hand to help with the singing.
RuPaul’s DragCon UK
What is it?
A weekend show of art, drag and pop culture.
Why go?
To meet all the legendary queens from ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ as well as your favourite US queens.
The one thing you should know?
There are only Sunday day tickets and VIP weekend tickets left, get in there quick!
Mindful Drinking Festival
What is it?
A booze-free festival for anyone who’s doing Dry January, sober-curious or on the wagon.
Why go?
For the talks and cocktail classes, as well as traders showcasing alcohol-free beer, wine, low-sugar craft sodas and more.
The one thing you should know?
There’s no need to worry about the next morning’s hangover.
Veganuary+
What is it?
A festival on Brick Lane that fully embraces veganuary and conscious living.
Why go?
To scoff plant-based street food, join workshops and watch panel talks.
The one thing you should know?
The classes are free, but must be booked in advance.
The Actual Reality Arcade
What is it?
A life-sized interactive classic games arcade pop-up.
Why go?
To dodge lasers, build Tetris walls, shoot aliens and become a Pac-Man IRL.
The one thing you should know?
It’s only around for twelve days, so get a move on!
‘A Taste of Honey’ at Trafalgar Studios
What is it?
A restaging of Shelagh Delaney’s cherished play (which was adapted into a 1961 British film by Tony Richardson) about the brief relationship sparked between teenager Jo and her sailor boyfriend, Jimmie.
Why go?
Actress Gemma Dobson puts in a fascinating performance as Jo. Conventionally understood as ‘feisty’, Dobson gets the vulnerability and loneliness underwriting Jo’s gobby front.
The one thing you should know?
You can get £15 tickets (that’s 61 percent off) through Time Out London until January 27. Not too shabby.
Find more great theatre offers here.
Light Festival
What is it?
New interactive light installations at Battersea Power Station.
Why go?
To see four blues-busting beacons of light from international artists including giant LED heads and an interactive neon sign.
The one thing you should know?
You can put your money away because it’s all free!
Unf**k Your Life in a Day
What is it?
A workshop to help when adulting gets too hard.
Why go?
To hear personal responsibility coach Nat Rich talk about how to become more efficient and reliable.
The one thing you should know?
By the end of the day you’ll have faced a variety of life-admin challenges.
Midnight Apothecary Wassail
What is it?
A traditional Twelfth Night party in Brunel Museum’s pretty garden.
Why go?
To bring lanterns (or your phone torch) and your finest wassailing voice to ceremonial shenanigans.
The one thing you should know?
There’ll be cocktails and live folk music as well.
Film of the Week: ‘Hidden Life’
What is it?
A Nazi-era biopic from legendary director Terrence Malick.
Why go?
For a long, thought-provoking dose of Malick philosophising.
The one thing you should know?
This emotional movie is Malick’s best work since ‘The Tree of Life’.
Spitalfields Walk and Huguenot House Experience
What is it?
A historical guided tour through Spitalfields on which you will learn about its rich past.
Why go?
To see a different side to Shoreditch before stepping into London circa 1724 at the frozen-in-time Dennis Severs’ House.
The one thing you should know?
You should meet outside the ‘I Goat’ statue on Brushfield Street at 10.30am.
Zinesters’ Coffee Morning
What is it?
A coffee morning for those who are zine curious.
Why go?
To pick up tips on how to make your own zine or get feedback on the one you’ve created already.
The one thing you should know?
There’ll be coffee and cake to keep you going.
Sing-a-Long-a ‘Grease’
What is it?
A 'Grease' singalong complete with vocal warm-ups, hand-jive action and dancing in the aisles.
Why go?
To pretend you’re in the ’50s and dress up as a T-Bird or a Pink Lady.
The one thing you should know?
There’ll be a goodie bag included in the ticket price.
The East London Vintage Kilo Sale
What is it?
A big jumble filled with heaps of vintage clothes.
Why go?
To grab what you fancy, take it to the scales and pay just £15 per kilo for your well-picked wares.
The one thing you should know?
You can bag yourself a whole new outfit with change for a twenty.
Show of the Week: ‘Scrounger’
What is it?
A drama from Athena Strevens about an airline trashing her wheelchair.
Why go?
It’s provocative, smart and calls out its liberal audience.
The one thing you should know?
This one’s designed to make you feel properly uncomfortable, but you’ll want to do something about it.
Gallery Yoga
What is it?
A Sunday morning yoga session surrounded by artworks.
Why go?
To get bendy in an unusual setting.
The one thing you should know?
After the stretch session, you’ll get early access to the gallery’s ‘Rembrandt’s Light’ exhibition.
Neon Art Rave
What is it?
An immersive neon painting rave where you all get together to paint collaboratively.
Why go?
To splash colours on a giant canvas to the sound of ’90s house tunes.
The one thing you should know?
All levels are welcome and art materials are included.
The Adventure Travel Show
What is it?
A large-scale travel show that’ll make you itch for your next adventure.
Why go?
To choose from more than 70 free talks and join travel writing and photography seminars.
The one thing you should know?
Booking is recommended, especially for the seminars.
‘Waves’
What is it?
An intense drama about an American family beset by tragedy.
Why go?
To see a breakout turn from Kelvin Harrison Jr.
The one thing you should know?
This family tragedy will get you right in the feels – bring the tissues.
Encore UK Theatre Widget
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